The DGT warns drivers about pedestrian crossings: it's best not to park too close and never stop on the zebra crossing, as this forces pedestrians to cross on the outside.

Crossing at a pedestrian crossing should be a safe action. But, according to the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) , it has become a critical point on the road network. Between 2014 and 2023, 1,047 people were fatally struck at these crossings, designed , ironically, to protect pedestrians. And in 87% of cases, those crossing were not committing any violation.

The tragedy isn't just in the numbers, but in the everyday occurrences. In what's repeated. Drivers who don't slow down, who don't anticipate the presence of a crosswalk, who stop on the zebra crossing, or who park right on the edge, reducing their viewing angle. These bad practices turn pedestrian crossings into silent traps.

To curb this string of accidents, the DGT is working on updating the General Traffic Regulations. One of the most notable changes is to prohibit the presence of street furniture or vehicle parking within six meters of a pedestrian crossing if the sidewalk is aligned with the outer edge of the parking lane. If it is aligned forward, the restriction will be three meters.

As Marta Martínez Cámara, head of the Surveillance Area of ​​the Deputy Directorate of Traffic of the DGT, stated in statements to the Traffic and Road Safety Magazine , the objective is "to improve the safety of pedestrians, and especially the most vulnerable, such as minors, the elderly or those with reduced mobility, ensuring that no obstacles prevent vehicles from detecting them with sufficient advance notice to stop."

This is intended to avoid the typical scene in which a parked car blocks a child or an elderly person who is about to cross.

This improved visibility isn't new, but it will soon cease to be a mere recommendation and become a legal requirement. It's also a measure that can be extended to garage exits and turns with blind spots.

The data from the National Road Safety Observatory are overwhelming: a collision at 50 km/h carries an 80% chance of death. At 30 km/h, that risk drops to 10%. Therefore, since May 2021, many cities have implemented so-called "30 Cities," limiting speeds on single-lane roads in each direction.

The first three years of this regulation have achieved a 16% reduction in pedestrian fatalities in urban environments. Still, reducing speed isn't enough. Spaces need to be redesigned to give pedestrians a new role. Crosswalks are still a symbol of subordination. Pedestrians have to step off the sidewalk, wait, and adapt. The city is designed for cars, not people.